STORY: Organic farming helps Rwandan farmers expand global market presence
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 16, 2023
DATELINE: Nov. 17, 2023
LENGTH: 0:06:00
LOCATION: Kigali
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of farmers working
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): STEVEN KWIZERA, Farm manager at Sunripe Farm Ltd.
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): LISE CHANTAL DUSABE, Chief executive officer of the Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM)
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): RAYMOND MURENZI, Director-general of RSB

STORYLINE:

In the Gakenke district of the Northern Province in Rwanda, a remarkable transformation is underway, driven by the dedication of farmers and a strategic shift to reshape the nation's agricultural export sector.

At its core is a commitment to excellence through organic certification and rigorous standards. 
The Dukunde Ikawa Cooperative, located in the heart of Gakenke district, is dedicated to enhancing the value addition of agricultural export crops.

Ernest Nshimiyimana, an accountant with the Dukunde Ikawa Cooperative, recently told Xinhua in an interview that the cooperative's dedication to organic farming is evident in the production of approximately 40 percent of its coffee as organic.

In the pursuit of global partnerships, Nshimiyimana revealed the cooperative's collaboration with Alibaba and a budding connection with Chinese businesses.

The engagement has resulted in significant coffee sales in China.

The bridge between Rwandan coffee and the Chinese market is steadily strengthening, promising further opportunities for growth, according to him.

Steven Kwizera, farm manager at Sunripe Farm Ltd., located in the Bugesera district in the Eastern Province, told Xinhua that organic certifications will enable agricultural products to access good markets.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): STEVEN KWIZERA, Farm manager at Sunripe Farm Ltd.
"The certification has guidelines which help us as farmers to meet the quality standards required on the market and for the produce or the products to be safe for human consumption."

Specializing in hot pepper (Habanero) cultivated in greenhouses, the farm has not only received positive feedback but also has expanded its market presence from a modest beginning to an impressive 30 hectares within six years.

Sunripe Farm is now exporting a diverse range of crops like Habanero chili, green chili, French beans, and okra to the UK and all European Union markets.

The farm's commitment to high standards has fueled its growth, with the possibility of entering the Chinese market on the horizon, according to him. 
Lise Chantal Dusabe, the chief executive officer of the Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM), told Xinhua that the collaboration between ROAM and the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) is pivotal in shaping and promoting stringent standards and certifications. 
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): LISE CHANTAL DUSABE, Chief executive officer of the Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM)
"As part of the work ROAM is doing, (it is) to train agriculture value chain actors to comply with those standards as requirements of organic market. Standard certification is a guarantee for consumers that the products he or she is buying comply with certain requirements, so it is a guarantee for the consumers but also for the farmers to be able to access either local or international markets. It is an opportunity to access markets but also a guarantee for consumers that those products comply with the market standards requirements."

With around 16 certified cooperatives and companies, the organic movement of Rwanda extends beyond coffee and tea to include diverse products like certified organic dried pineapples and avocados, actively supported by ROAM.

The certification opens doors for farmers, providing them access to markets, both local and international, and contributing to the global reputation of Rwandan agricultural produce.

In an interview with Xinhua, Raymond Murenzi, the director-general of the RSB, emphasized the role of the RSB in promoting standards and establishing schemes like the organic certification scheme.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): RAYMOND MURENZI, Director-general of RSB
"Organic certification is worldwide known as an organic scheme that promotes farmers to make sure that consumers get what they requested and to make sure that farmers are linked directly to the consumers. Rwanda is promoting its farmers to make sure that their products are accessing the market and they are getting fair prices. So when it comes to the Rwanda Standard Board (RSB) establishing this scheme, we want to build that trust between consumers and farmers."

Murenzi added that the government is actively encouraging farmers to embrace organic practices, ensuring not only access to markets, but also fair compensation for their efforts.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kigali.
(XHTV)